Echoes of Normalcy

The park had started to grow quieter as the evening deepened, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the paths and benches. Elizabeth stretched her arms overhead as she stood, preparing to leave. Her hoodie shifted slightly, and Tyr caught a glimpse of a thin scar trailing along her wrist before she adjusted her sleeves.

"Well, this was nice," she said with a small smile, turning back to face him. "For a guy who's clearly carrying a ton on his shoulders, you're not bad company."

Tyr chuckled softly. "That's one way to put it."

Elizabeth tilted her head, her dark eyes gleaming with something between curiosity and mischief. "I'll be at this park tomorrow around the same time. Y'know, in case you want another breather or just someone to talk to."

Tyr blinked, caught off guard. "You... want to meet again?"

"Sure." She shrugged. "You seem like you could use it. And I'm not exactly drowning in friends right now."

Tyr hesitated, unsure how to respond. But before he could decide, she gave him a two-fingered salute and walked off, her long hair swaying behind her.

"See you, Tyr."

He watched her go, her casual confidence leaving an odd impression on him. After two years in the suffocating silence of the Shadow Prison, the idea of... normal human interaction felt foreign, almost surreal.

Back at the workshop, Tyr leaned against the workbench, staring at the faint glow of the arc reactor sitting in a containment unit. Its soft hum filled the space, a quiet but persistent reminder of the world he had built before his imprisonment.

Elizabeth's voice echoed in his mind. "You're still here. That counts for something."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Still here, huh? Not sure if that's a win or not."

As he mulled over her words, a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Argos's emblem pulsed faintly on the monitor, the AI's voice breaking the silence. "You appear... contemplative, Tyr. And notably less grim than usual."

Tyr smirked, though he didn't turn to face the monitor. "Don't get used to it, Argos."

"Noted," Argos replied. "However, I must point out that such a shift in demeanor is statistically significant given your recent psychological state."

Tyr let out a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I had a conversation. That's all. Some random girl who doesn't seem to care how messed up I am decided to talk to me. Guess it caught me off guard."

"Random encounters often have unpredictable outcomes," Argos said. "Do you intend to meet her again?"

Tyr hesitated, glancing toward the workshop door. "Maybe. Don't hold your breath—if you even breathe."

"I will adjust my non-existent respiration accordingly," Argos replied dryly.

Tyr sat down heavily on a stool, pulling a notebook toward him. Flipping past schematics and scribbled ideas, he reached a blank page. The words flowed almost instinctively as he began to write a self-assessment—a habit that had kept him sane during his time in the Endless Prison.

He titled the page: Abilities Report – Post Endless Prison

1. Telekinesis Primary Functions: Push, Pull, Crush.

Current Strength: Can lift up to 50 kilograms with precision. Force Crush is now possible, though requires intense focus for larger objects or living targets.

Notes: Growth was significant in the prison. Manipulating multiple objects simultaneously has become more efficient, but fine control is still challenging with smaller or lightweight objects.

Tyr tapped the pen against his chin, recalling the countless battles against the shadow creatures. Telekinesis had been his most reliable tool, but its limits had been frustrating.

"I need to push past 50 kilograms," he thought. "If I can't lift heavier targets or use it mid-battle more effectively, it's just a flashy party trick."

2. Force Breathing + Force Enchantment Primary Function: Enhances physical abilities (strength, speed, reflexes).

Duration: Indefinite during combat, but prolonged use causes significant strain after six minutes at maximum output.

Notes: Force Breathing became constant after rigorous use in the prison. Enchantment now feels like second nature, boosting muscle efficiency and blood flow automatically.

He smirked, remembering how the "Force Breathing" technique had originated as a desperate idea inspired by Demon Slayer.

"I can't believe anime actually saved my life," he muttered.

3. Force Sense Primary Function: Spatial awareness and early threat detection.

Current Range: Approximately seven meters in combat; extends slightly further during meditation.

Notes: Still capped at three seconds for precognition. Useful, but the brief window leaves no room for error.

Tyr frowned, tapping the pen harder against the page. Force Sense had saved his life countless times, but its limitations felt glaring. "Three seconds isn't enough. If I could stretch it to five or more, I'd have a real edge."

4. Mechu-Deru Primary Function: Understanding, controlling, and repairing technology.

Notes: Passive ability that has grown stronger. Complex machines feel intuitive, and I can now detect hidden vulnerabilities or optimize systems on the fly.

He smiled faintly at this one. Mechu-Deru had always felt like a cheat code, letting him outperform even seasoned engineers. If there was one skill he could rely on without burning himself out, it was this.

5. Restful Sleep in Danger Primary Function: Allows for recuperation even in high-stress environments.

Notes: Gained during imprisonment. Likely an adaptation to constant combat. Mental clarity and physical recovery are enhanced slightly.

This ability felt almost absurd. Tyr remembered collapsing in the ruins of the Shadow Prison, falling asleep while surrounded by the ominous presence of shadow monsters. It was both horrifying and oddly comforting.

Tyr leaned back, staring at the list. It was a strange feeling, seeing how far he'd come since the day he woke up with Theon's memories.

"I'm turning into a walking arsenal," he muttered. "But for what?"

The question lingered in his mind, heavy and unanswerable.

Argos's voice broke the silence again. "Tyr, your physiological and psychological adaptation to extreme conditions is remarkable. However, I detect significant residual tension. May I suggest further reflection or meditation?"

Tyr laughed softly, shaking his head. "You're not wrong. But I think I need something more than meditation."

He closed the notebook, his gaze drifting toward the workshop door.

"Maybe reconnecting with normalcy isn't such a bad idea," he said quietly. "Even if it's just for a little while."

Argos didn't reply, but its emblem flickered faintly, as though acknowledging his words.

As Tyr stood and stretched, he glanced at the bench in his notebook. The list of abilities felt like a reminder of the line he walked between who he was and what he was becoming.

"I'll meet her again," he murmured, the decision settling in his mind. "Let's see if she's as good at distracting me as she thinks."

With that, he headed to the workshop's living quarters, ready to catch a few hours of much-needed sleep.